Determined customers fueled with holiday spirit

It's the busiest shopping day of the year, Black Friday -- nicknamed because it was long responsible for putting retailers in the black.

The day traditionally kicks off the holiday shopping season.

About 47 percent of Americans say they will shop today. Last year shoppers spent $9.5 billion on Black Friday.

Doors opened at Target at 6 a.m. and Lindsay Gogolski was waiting for the doors to open.

Gogolski was waiting since 8:30 Thursday night.

She said the wait was more about hanging out with friends and meeting some new ones than it was about getting the best deals.

And Gogolski had lots of new friends to meet. About 100 people were in line at Target.

Many, many more were in line at stores up and down Wanamaker Road.

Some spent Thanksgiving night camping out, with tents and the whole works. Others had only lawn chairs and lots of blankets. Those brave souls were camping in chilly temperatures. Early this morning the mercury dipped down to 11 degrees in the Capital City.

Sydney Webb, a first-timer for Black Friday, said she picked up a tv/computer monitor for a good price. But, she had to fight her way through crowds.

Share your story

Whether it's a great deal or an aggressive fellow shopper, we want to hear what you encountered on Black Friday. Submit your Black Friday story for publication on this site and perhaps on the air. Or you can register as a user and post your story below in our comments section.

"I don't like it," she said, adding she won't be doing it again next year.

But, for some getting up early on Black Friday is a tradition.

"It's become an annual event. This is, instead of Thanksgiving being about turkey, now it's about standing out in the cold and shopping," Ila Rose Bosworth said.

Tune into 49 News at 6 and 10 tonight for more Black Friday drama.


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